French troops to fight in Mali 'within hours'

Jan. 16, 2013
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Malian people wave to French soldiers as a convoy of armored vehicles leave Bamako and start a deployment to the north of Mali as part of the "Serval" operations on Tuesday. / Eric Feferberg, AFP/Getty Images

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

PARIS (AP) - France's military chief of staff says French forces will be in direct combat with Islamist militants in Mali "within hours."

Adm. Edouard Guillaud said Wednesday that French ground operations began overnight in Mali, a West African former French colony where militants linked to al-Qaeda have gained territory since seizing control of the country's north earlier this year. Some fear more Islamist gains would turn the region into a launching pad for terrorist attacks on the West.

The move reversed France's earlier insistence that it would provide only air and logistical support for a military intervention led by African troops.

"Now we're on the ground," Guillaud said. "We will be in direct combat within hours."

In Berlin, Germany's defense minister said Wednesday the country will send two military aircraft to help transport African troops to aid in the international effort in Mali.

Defense Ministry Thomas de Maiziere said the two C-160 planes will depart once technical details have been resolved, such as where they will be based and refueled.

De Maiziere told reporters the aircraft would be used to take forces from the 15-nation in West African regional group known as ECOWAS to Mali's capital Bamako.

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